Car was initially parked due to the owner going to jail. Car traded hands a few times after it sat for several years through people that didn't know Benzes. Now I have it.

I did drain the pan, fluid looked fine, refilled with like 4-5 quarts of fresh ATF and got the level right. I took the car on about an hour drive (highway and around town, speeds up to about 85mph) and it ran and shifted great through 2-3-4 but once I got back, 1st and Reverse do the same thing. You can actually get the car to stall in Reverse which is odd.

I jacked the car up and the wheels turn freely and the car can be rolled in neutral easily (heard of some bizarre parking brake failures)

I have a line on a transmission with similar miles for $100 at a friends shop a few miles from my house. I may just opt to replace the trans. Dropping the existing trans and tearing into it on an IF may not be as time effective as dropping the trans and replacing it with a known good unit.

I appreciate everyones input so far.

The shifter bushings are pretty toast but all the gears seem to engage well enough.

Trying to get the car into reverse or first with the rear wheels off of the ground is interesting and something I have not tried. I'll try that and report back.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

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